It depends your passport...I have visa-exempted passport so they processed my CoPR in 1 business day ....it usually takes within 1 week for others
I also have valid US visa but the officer required me to do flagpole because this is my main reason to travel ....you can plan a real trip to US for few days and then come back to land.
For me, I went to thousand island border (its empty there during winter) and I didn't want to lie I was here for sightseeing or lunch, Officer will ask you how many day you will stay, purpose of trip, where you going etc...(it just doesn't make sense for me to drive 3 hours in mid day for sightseeing at no man land lol.)
Niagara Borders are strongly not recommended for landing.
If you have a trip outside of Canada, it is good to utilize this opportunity. Otherwise, flagpole is only 15 mins job and US officer assured nothing will happen in the future. They all understand what is flagpole and your reason.
perfect these makes sense i have Indian passport so i guess one week as its not visa exempt countries. and then i would also do the landing at 1000 islands because that's what everyone has recommended me to do and yes if us officer's are assured that nothing will go negative about you in us record than its good.
i was only worried about
1) every time i go to states( as i go very frequently at least once a month and max 4 times a month ) they might get these as negative and would ask me questions about these.
2) according to different opinions it takes longer for pr card at border landing and its faster in interview in local office.
but i guess not a much difference would also do 1000 islands landing.